What To Do About Them? The Swirlies "Reunite"

How did the Swirlies get started? What has been your involvement over the years?

The pre-band started with Damon [Tutunjian], Seana Carmody and a fellow named Jason on drums. They were called Raspberry Bang, and recorded a song (with Anne as the backing band for local punk Rusty Nails around 1990. I went to high school with Damon (BC High, 1985-89), and so I started playing with the three of them in late summer/fall 1990. Early on, we would practice occasionally in the basement of the Cambridge First Church of the Nazarene in Central Square... also in Damon's apartment in Misson Hill. Jason departed shortly after I started and we found Ben Drucker to play drums. We made our first recordings as Swirlies (a name that Ben proposed) with this lineup. Damon has been the only constant member, and I might be a close second.

Have you gotten much response to your call for recollections of your first show at the Allston Mall? Have these jogged new memories for the band as well?

We’ve received no response whatsoever, which is not a surprise.

What have been your favorite moments in the band—musically, and personally? Your favorite show? Favorite person/band/label to collaborate with?

Favorite personal moments: I’d say all of the tours. Early on, they were the first times I had ever left the northeast. The tour in summer 1993 is especially memorable, as it was the first time I saw the Plains and the West Coast. And watching my good friend Damon grow up to be a fine gentleman.

Favorite musical moments: making the recordings, particularly the [They Spent Their Wild Youthful Days in the Glittering World of the] Salons record, which was a long, drawn out affair not without its charms and trials.

Favorite show... the backyard of Johnny Christ's house in Dallas, TX (6/20/1993).

Favorite collaborators, all of the people (there are many) who have played in the band over the years. And many fellow bands…. I am very pleased to be playing with Mark Erdody's band (Bullpen Catcher) at the Boston show. We were really close with Mark’s band Kudgel in the early 90s... of course, there were dark days towards the end…a beef over who killed chimp rock & so forth…but we've put that behind us.

The Slumberland bands and others in DC were always really good to us…we played our first shows out of Boston at some festivals in the DC area. The folks who ran shows and labels there were so well organized and dedicated, I was always impressed with how put together they were.

How do you like the way the Swirlies tribute album turned out, if it's done?

Have heard just a touch of it, I believe it will come out sometime in 2009. I’m very touched and honored, of course….curious to hear the interpretations…and pleased to see that it will be a free web release.

You were described (by your 'friends' at Pitchfork) as insisting that 'the future of the past actually did arrive.' What do you think of that assessment? What does the future hold for the Swirlies? What do the Swirlies hold for the future?

I had to read that article again... the quote is strange and near meaningless on its own. Then I saw that this was the piece that revealed our secret penchant for ‘lounge music’. What can I say? That particular assessment (and article) seems really odd to me. It’s the writer’s prerogative to interpret our music or ‘intent’ as they see fit. It may sound strange to me, but what do I know? However, I must secretly admit that some of the more entertaining articles about the band…that would be for either Swirlies or our near universally reviled offshoot, The Yes Girls…have been the most negative or insulting ones.

I have no idea what the future holds for the band beyond these three February shows…and what the Swirlies hold for the future? We hope to see everyone at the Spit on the 4th of July.